Windows
Messenger is the Microsoft instant
messaging program built into Windows XP. There is also a Windows
Messenger service built into Windows XP that helps produce pop up ads
via IP addresses. The two programs are completely separate and do
different things even though Microsoft has essentially named them the
same.

Windows
Messenger (the chat program) is equally annoying if you dont use
instant messaging. Microsoft has tightly integrated this program into
many of its other programs including Outlook Express, Outlook and
Remote Assistance. However there are ways to either disable it from
starting, remove it, or for the most part completely get rid of it.

How
do I disable Windows Messenger from running?

The
procedures for disabling Windows Messenger will depend on the version
of Windows Messenger installed on your computer.

3)
Double-click on the option "Do not allow Windows Messenger to run", and
then click Enabled.
4) Click OK, and then close the window

Windows
Messenger 4.0 on a Windows XP Home Edition

1) Start
Windows Messenger.
2) Click Options on the Tools menu.
3) Click the Preferences tab, click to clear the "Run this program when
Windows starts" check box, and then click OK.

Windows
Messenger 4.5 or Later on Either Windows XP Home or Windows XP
Professional

1) Click on
Start, Run
2) Type REGEDIT and Press Enter
3) Click on the Pluses (+) next to the following items

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Software

Policies

Microsoft

4) If the
folder Messenger is not listed, click on the Edit menu, point to New,
click Key, and then type Messenger for the name of the new registry key
5) If the folder Client is not listed under Messenger, click on the
Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Client for the name
of the new registry key
6) On the Edit Menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then type
PreventRun for the name of the new DWORD value. Remember all of this is
case sensitive.
7) Right-click the PreventRun value that you created, click Modify,
type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
8) Quit Registry Editor.

How to Stop Outlook or Outlook Express
from Running Windows Messenger When They Are Opened

1) Click on
Start, Run
2) Type REGEDIT and Press Enter
3) Click on the Pluses (+) next to the following items

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Software

Microsoft

Outlook
Express

4) Right
click on the Outlook Express folder, click on New, click on DWORD
value, and then type Hide Messenger for
the name of the new registry key
5) Right-click the Hide Messenger value
that you created, click Modify, type 2 in the Value data box, and then
click OK.
8) Quit Registry Editor.

What
about MSN Messenger ?

MSN
Messenger is another chat program from Microsoft that can run
simultaneously with Windows Messenger. Follow the instructions below to
remove it.

1) Click on
Start, Control Panel
2) Double click on Add or Remove Programs
3) Find MSN Messenger in the list and click on it
4) Click on Remove